UNESCO World Heritage Sites with stunning natural landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and opportunities for adventurous exploration.
For the traveller in search of unique, culturally jaw-dropping locations, a good place to start is the 1,248 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, located in 170 countries. Here, Anthony Lassman, bon vivant, seasoned traveller and founder of high-end travel and lifestyle concierge Nota Bene, describes the eight that must be top of your list.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Could there be a city more arrestingly beautiful than Brazil’s Rio? It has Carioca landscapes, the peaks of Corcovado and Sugar Loaf, and dramatic panoramas of mountains and ocean as seen from the Tijuca National Park and the Christ the Redeemer statue. Rio also has a great urban landscape, with energy, music and great restaurants. Take a helicopter to see it in all its magnificence; continue south to the colonial town of Paraty and cruise the islands of the Bay of Angra; continue by private plane to Bahia and rent a sumptuous villa with direct access to an endless stretch of palm-fringed beach.
Okavango Delta, Botswana
The topographically magnificent landscape of the Okavango Delta, Botswana, where tourism is strictly controlled, is richly blessed with wildlife. It is also blessed with some of the continent’s most exclusive beautifully designed lodges where every comfort, private game viewing, world- class cuisine, fine wines and the ultimate in privacy and exclusivity is provided for the upscale traveller. In summer, after the rains have filled the plains, it is the combination of land and water-based safari that makes this destination unique. Little compares with the experience of being rowed through the Delta’s waterways on a traditional mokoro.
Cartagena, Colombia
This walled city by the Caribbean is the second city of Colombia. It is hot, steamy, colourful and vibrant; but it takes knowing and how best to do it in style. My advice is to rent the finest colonial villa in the centre of the old city, with a retinue of staff and a personal chef. Tropical nights dining al fresco in the privacy of a beautiful walled garden with musicians in the background; a top curator to accompany your private visit to the Botero Museum; and an expert to explain the significance of the city’s military architecture are all essential to ensure the best experience. Cruise to the Rosario islands and Baru; fly on to Bogotá for a visit to the private studio of Olga de Amaral, a foremost contemporary artist of Colombia, before continuing by plane to Barichara, an enchanting colonial town in the mountains. This is all part of a carefully curated Colombian odyssey.
Porto, Portugal
Smaller and more intimate than Lisbon, Portugal’s second city is best reached by helicopter if arriving from the capital. Porto has 2,000 years of history, its riverside area of delightful medieval streets earning it Unesco status. The entire historical centre, with its cathedral, monastery, churches and famous bridge that crosses the Douro River, is a national monument, and deservedly so. Aside from the beauty of the city, with its showcase of Baroque, Gothic and Neoclassical architecture, Porto is gateway to the beautiful Douro Valley with its important wineries, gorgeous landscapes and winding river that flows from Spain all the way to the Atlantic. Spend a few days in Porto in a suite at top boutique hotel, The Largo; enjoy Nuno Mendes’ cuisine at Cozinha das Flores; and charter a boat on the Douro River before continuing the trip to Lisbon and the ravishing countryside of Alentejo and beaches of fashionable Comporta.
Matera, Italy
The opening scene from the James Bond movie No Time to Die was filmed in Matera, one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. Basilicata may be Italy’s poorest county, and it is far from the madding crowd, but Matera is unmissable for the Unesco-protected area they refer to as The Sassi, with its unique cave dwellings, narrow alleyways and unrivalled atmosphere. It gets overrun by tourists, so we advise to arrive early, experience its magic and return to your base in Bernalda at Francis Ford Coppola’s Palazzo Margherita, a favourite boutique hotel, 40 minutes away by car.
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
The eighth wonder of the world, a huge and magnificent Hindu-Buddhist temple complex, located at the outskirts of Siem Reap, Cambodia, is best seen at dawn through the eyes of an expert. Arriving through the rear access point shortly after 5am as the sun starts to rise and there are no crowds to interfere with the silence is very special. One of the highlights of a carefully curated trip through South-east Asia, Siem Reap will offer insight into Khmer food and culture, as well as the ancient and modern-day history of Cambodia.
Giza, Egypt
The Great Pyramid of Giza is recognised as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. A themed dinner here with musicians can be preceded by a private tour of the complex with an expert historian. The Egyptian odyssey continues to Aswan. Before boarding what is arguably the finest sailing yacht on the Nile, fly privately to see the historic twin temples of Abu Simbel before returning later in the day to the boat for a leisurely three-night cruise to Luxor. Disembark at Luxor for a stay at the incomparable Al Moudira, a gorgeous property with lots to see and do, including the Valley of the Kings, yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Serengeti, Tanzania
Think Out of Africa, the film about Karen Blixen and her love for the landscapes and wildlife of East Africa, and you will have a vision of this special area of northern Tanzania. The vast plains of the Serengeti are teaming with lions, elephants and the African leopard. This huge national park is also the scene every summer of the unique annual migration of the wildebeest. Stay in a private house on an exclusive reserve with full retinue of staff, swimming pool, world-class cuisine and wines, and private rangers with jeeps for safari whenever one feels like venturing out into the bush.
Original article available here: https://www.bllnr.com/travel/ideal-worlds